The number of calories in a carrot versus a Big Mac. The price of a Jason Wu dress compared to a Jason Wu for Target dress. The hotness quotient of Ryan Gosling…or Meatloaf. There are some things that you don’t expect to be equal. One thing you do? The amount of money you and a male coworker earn—for doing the same exact job.
According to a recent study from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, women working full-time in 2012 made 80.9 percent of what men took home in weekly pay—a drop from 82.2 percent in 2011. In terms of annual salary, women lagged even further, earning just 77 percent of what men raked in, a half a percentage point down from 2011. That means women made an average of $ 691 a week in 2012 (less than in 2011), while men earned about $ 854, a small gain over their 2011 pay.
Part of the reason for the discrepancy is that women often don’t negotiate as much as men do. It’s intimidating—especially given a lot of the lines bosses like to dole out, like “You’ll get fired if you tell any of your coworkers what you make” or “We can only give cost of living increases.” The thing is, these statements—and several others your boss may make to stand in the way of you and a pay increase—just aren’t true. Business coach Lisa Gates, cofounder of She Negotiates, a company that provides negotiation training for women, debunks some of the most common whoppers—and explains savvy ways to get around them.
“We don’t have the budget for raises this year.”
First, research how your employer’s faring. For public companies, go to Google.com/finance, enter the name of the organization, click on it, and then go to the “financials” link on the left-hand side of the screen to see a summary of profits and losses. If you work for a private company, scan their website for an annual report, or check business journals in your area—they often publish special issues detailing local financial statements. If you find out income is up? “Tell your boss that you know the organization’s doing x percent better than last year, and explain how you’ve contributed to the bottom line,” Gates says. Another tip: Your company might have a separate budget for bonuses versus salaries, so brainstorm with your boss about whether there are any extra pockets of money to tap into. On the other hand, if your workplace is legitimately under financial stress, request other incentives instead—like more vacation, working from home once a week, a nicer office, or an assistant.
“Sharing compensation information is prohibited.”
It’s actually against the law to forbid staffers from discussing salaries—it violates the National Labor Relations Act. And since knowing where you rank helps you gauge whether the raise you’re requesting is reasonable, it’s worth asking trusted colleagues. “That said, if you’re only talking to female coworkers, you’re not getting a clear picture of the pay scale across genders,” Gates points out. Instead, see if you’re underpaid at sites like GlassDoor.com or GetRaised.com. Then you can go to your boss armed with accurate info to help you achieve salary parity.
“There’s a pay structure we need to keep in place so you won’t be making more than your higher-ups.”
BS alert: If sharing compensation information is “forbidden,” how would your coworker know you’d surpassed her? In any event, the best retort is to propose being given a new title that better reflects your job description. Gates suggests having a conversation with your boss about the job you were originally hired for, and how what you’re actually doing goes above and beyond that. And what goes great with a promotion? A raise, of course.
“It’s not time for raises.”
“Typically, budgets are established at a certain date,” Gates agrees, “But this could also be corporate code for, ‘I just don’t want to give you more money.’” Respond by asking your boss, “When will that time be, and what do I need to do to put myself in line for a raise?” Frame it like a discussion, not a demand: Tell her what you’ve accomplished, and ask her to help you fill in any blanks so you know what goals you need to meet to ensure you make bank in the future.
“Corporate doesn’t allow raises bigger than the standard cost of living increase.”
Compensation almost always has some wiggle-room, but your boss may have to go to bat for you by asking her higher-up for more money. Since she’s probably reluctant to rock the boat, you need to prove it’s worth her while. “Using specific examples, lay out what you’ve done to boost profits and productivity, and explain that your salary should correlate with those results,” Gates says. If she still gives you pushback, say something like, “In my research, I’ve discovered that the market value of my position is x. I want to continue to help you hit your targets and exceed them, to be as valuable to you as I possibly can. In return, I’d like you to value my contribution, too. Can we brainstorm ways we can meet each other’s needs?” Calling out the fact that you’ve done your homework shows her you know what you’re talking about, and emphasizing how your getting a raise is also beneficial to her softens things.
“You’re already at the top of the pay scale.”
If your company uses a pay scale (a tiered salary system commonly used in union, government, and public jobs to ensure equal compensation for everyone with a certain level of experience), find out whether the salaries they offer are in line with the rest of the market by checking websites like GlassDoor.com or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Making less than your peers in a similar line of work? Print out those reports, bring them to your boss, and say, “It seems there’s a disparity in the salary range for my position, and I’d like to talk about re-benchmarking the pay scale. Can we review the classification so that it’s more in line with what my research shows me?” If possible, have the conversation over lunch to set a relaxed tone. “Starting off with small talk, like asking about her kids or vacation plans, releases the bonding hormone oxytocin, which makes her more receptive,” Gates says. “Plus, it’s hard to be contentious when you’re enjoying delicious food.”
More From Women’s Health:
4 Steps to Make More Than Your Coworkers
Money Rules That’ll Make You Rich
Love Your Job: Meaning Is the New Money
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